• Ruiz, against the scale. How to win with fewer kilos

The organizers, always interested in multiplying the relevance of their event, have baptized the fight as Clash on the Dunes , in order to emulate it with those legendary Muhammad Ali Thrilla in Manila , in the Philippine capital or Rumble in the Jungle in Kinshasa. The comparison, however disproportionate, puts Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr in the spotlight, who on Saturday dispute his highly anticipated rematch in the dunes of Saudi Arabia.

On October 15, Joshua celebrated his 30th birthday in Sheffield accompanied by his most intimate circle, without wasting a gram of strength that compromised his strict preparation. "It is a prison mental regime, like a military retreat. You can only think of training, concentrating and sleeping," said the Briton, aware of the relevance of the stake.

After the technical KO last June 1 at Madison Square Garden, the British can not afford another defeat against Ruiz Jr. So he has had to resort to the best of his past to boost his confidence. Specifically, at its beginnings in 2008, when a case with Justice almost made him enter prison. "By then I was getting into a lot of trouble. So I prayed and asked God for a second chance in life. Now the same thing happens to Ruiz. I want a second chance for everyone to see what I can do," said the boxer of Watford

"If you want to hit, better for me"

The verbal intensity of Joshua, with 198 centimeters sculpted in muscle like a Greek statue, is even more striking in the face of his opponent's adversary. "All the pressure is on him. I don't have it, because I already got my dream," Ruiz Jr revealed in Riyad on Monday. "Of course I want more. I want my legacy in history," said the American of Mexican origin, who will defend his belts of the World Organization (WBO), International Federation (IBF), World Association (WBA) and International Organization (IBO ).

Proud of his image of chubby, the champion does not fear a fierce exchange of blows, like the one lived in New York, when Joshua fell for the third and final time in the seventh round. "If you want to hit, better for me. I love it because it favors my style ... A blow can change the fight." Ruiz Jr said, with only one defeat in 34 fights, against Joseph Parker in 2016 by decision unanimous of the judges.

Six months later, both arrive at the appointment very pending on the scale. "I lost weight to better execute my boxing and be able to fight the 12 rounds," Joshua warned, while Destroyer wants to reduce by 13 pounds (six kilos). A challenge for this mass idol in Mexico, received by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at the National Palace.

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